Truckers are thier own worst enemy

If I were to compose a list of things to be thankful for, I'm sure HOS rules would not be on it.
You seem to believe the logbook is your friend. Seems to me it is more often used against us as opposed to helping us lead safer, more productive lives.
I know when I'm getting too sleepy to drive, and it has nothing to do with my years of experience. Most people do, and we don't need a government regulation to tell us when it's bedtime.
HOS regs have been around since 1938 and everybody that has fallen asleep behind the wheel since then has done so in spite of the log book.
The companies that would try to push a driver beyond his endurance without HOS are already doing it.

 

Agreed, but a 20 year veteran driver "pushing it" a bit while using common sense and experience, and a newbie, 3 weeks out of CR England school "pushing it" are two very different scenarios.

 

I say let the freight sit on the dock!!! My freezer is full. I think I will go boating...

 

I agree with most here with the exception. even some 20 yr drivers forget their limitations when money is tight. log books don't hurt if you follow the rules and its not just rookies who stink. I see veteran drivers going in and out of truck stops and shippers that haven't had a shower in weeks. I watched a guy this week walk past a plant at Pilot and the dang thing wilted when he went by. he was an o/o who had a new truck covered in dirt the only clean on it was the windshield.

 

I learned from my uncle about this industry. He told me, that if i see someone who needs help, help them. Not to be afraid of speaking your mind. Above all, look the part of a professinal. I may not always look the part of a pro when i am not picking up or dropping a load off. When i am shippers and recivers, i wear a company shirt, khakis, and a ball cap. While i may not be able to shower every day, i do know how to "clean myself up" on days when i can't.

I figure we have know one to blame but ourselfs for the way we are looked upon by John Q. Public. While i am by no means skinny, i do tuck my shirt in, try to wear nice clothes. I shave every other day, keep a trimmed mustache. Why do i all this? Because i care about my apperance. Csa 2010 is gonna get rid of a lot of drivers, will it get rid of the problems? No. We as drivers have to get unified, and stick together to solve our problems.

If you sit there and think about this for a minute, we need to be like our predesecors, and CARE about our industry..

I am gonna get off my soap box now...

 

Always tuck your shirt in, wear a belt that will keep your trousers above your butt crack, and by all means, walk to that door as if you had a shower, and present yourself to the receiving clerk as a driver, and not a greezy ### piece of fluff they like to see us as.

 

And hey, at 290 lbs, I'm sure if I tried really hard, I could get my belly to show from the bottom hem of a t-shirt...but GUYS...that is the most disgusting, unprofessional and stupid look a man can have...is to have his belly hanging out from under his shirt.

People don't want to see that ANYWHERE, especially in a restaurant (truckstops included!). Get some shirts that cover your "growth", PLEASE!

 

HOS and Log books have nothing to do with safe operation of a truck, they only govern and control what you put into them. If anything operating by strict HOS rules makes it more dangerous as drivers can no longer pull over just because there tired, as the 14 hour clock keeps on running.

I would rather lie in the log book and sleep when Im tired, period.

 

Three things;


1:There is no rule, guidance, or provision stating you must drive until the 14/11 hour clock is over so your belief of being "forced" to drive tired is erroneous.

2:Your ability to commit perjury will soon be at an end.EOBR's will be here in the next year.So you should plan on using your time more effectively as your ability to lie will soon be at an end.

3:Statistics prove your claim of safety invalid.Accidents are down statistically since the new HOS.


But other than those flaws nice attempt at justifying your illegal operation of a CMV.

 

Powder joints didn't say anything about being forced to drive the maximum time permitted.
Here is an example of what I am sure he was alluding to:
It's 2000 and our driver is 80 miles from his destination. He came on duty at 0900.He has an 0800 delivery appointment.
Plenty of time to arrive at his destination, have over 10 hours off and make a timely delivery.
But there is a flaw in this scenario. It is foggy, drizzling rain and our driver is nodding out.
He knows a two hour nap would set things right.
Problem is, two hours would put him at 13, with not enough time to reach his destination. Taking an entire 10 hour break would make him late.
I'll tell you what many of not most of us do. Pull over for a while and get some well needed sleep.
Keep the book backed up to reflect 10 hours off at the reciever.
What's the big deal? He did it safely and the load was on time.
Everybody's happy. Everybody except for the HOS nerds and the bureaucrats pushing the EOBRs

Your remark about managing time effectively is just a tad insulting. So is "illegal operation of a CMV".
You make it sound like we're out here selling crack.
Who's side are you on anyway?